Article appeared in the June 2, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Coby Wiebe, Co-ordinator
This is a new initiative introduced to help newcomers meet hurdles that resulted when the Canadian government made changes to its citizen test, making it more difficult to pass. Prior to the changes, there was a 10 percent failure rate on the Canadian citizenship test. That increased to 30 per cent after the changes were made. Immigrants must pass this test before they can become Canadian citizens.
“They upped the English level, and included more questions about government structure, the system and rights and responsibilities,” said Koby Wiebe, coordinator at the Arborg & Riverton Immigrant Settlement Services.
“Canada’s system is quite a bit different from other systems around the world, “ said Wiebe, explaining that immigrants often find Canada’s government system confusing.
The Arborg & Riverton Immigrant Settlement Services is basing its training on the government publication, entitled, “Discover Canada”. Up to now, only one-on-one help was provided by the Arborg & Riverton Immigrant Settlement Services on an informal basis.
“This is the first (course) of its kind in the Interlake, and we are hoping we can continue with it. We want to encourage people to contact us. If we have enough people we can make this happen at any time,” said Wiebe.
The course is being taught on a volunteer basis by retired school teacher, Chris Gudmundson, who also serves as a school trustee on the Evergreen School Board.
Anyone interested in signing up for the course, either now or in the future, can do so by calling Wiebe at (204) 376-3623 or by email at ariss@mts.net.
